Shortly after rolling out to most of Google’s last two generations of Nexus devices, Android 4.2.1, or the December fix update, has been pushed into the AOSP. Factory images, binaries, and all.

Hot on the heels of the over-the-air update for Android 4.2.1, factory images for the yakju and takju Galaxy Nexus variants have been posted, as well as images for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 7 3G. The Nexus 10 should be added shortly. Binaries have also been posted for several devices, including the GSM Galaxy Nexus, Verizon Galaxy Nexus, WiFi only Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10.

Coming in as one of the smallest updates released for Android yet, 4.2.1 doesn’t feature much to write home about. There’s barely anything to the update–just a couple bug fixes. Still, that’s not likely to comfort Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus users, who as DroidLife’s Kellex has pointed out, are officially three updates behind the GSM Galaxy Nexus and the rest of the new Nexus family. Hopefully that will change sooner than later.

Have you had a chance to play with one of Google’s new Nexus devices and Android 4.2.1? Did your trusty Galaxy Nexus receive the update? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Hershell Tidwell

It just hit my Nexus 7

Richard Yarrell

Yes sir this backs up exactly why Google has done what they have decided to do. No cdma Nexus devices the suffering will be over. If I had a Verizon or Sprint Nexus device I’d dump em as soon as possible. I hope the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and just Verizon in general rot in hell

“Yes sir this backs up exactly why Google has done what they have decided to do.” Google hasn’t even provided hints as to why they’re not making a CDMA Nexus 4, let alone an official statement. You have no clue what Google’s reasoning is, if there even is any. You don’t work at Google. You don’t know anyone who works at Google. You don’t even have friends of friends who work at Google. You’re just making shit up, as you’ve always done.

Rushaoz

Omg dude.. you must be Richards biggest fan. Every time I see Richard comment, you reply. You two should just get a room, bang each other and get it over with. You’re both troll bait. Shut the fuck up already.

Orion78

My Galaxy Nexus > your Kyocera flip phone.

snowbdr89

Dick upgraded to the old razr flip phone

Dirge

Well, at least we OFFICIALLY have 4.1.1, right? Plus, what about the Sprint version? Does everyone forget about that one? Isn’t it behind as well?

Myles

The Sprint Galaxy Nexus is also behind, but Sprint has been able to push updates slightly faster than Verizon. I was able to get my Android 4.1.1 update weeks before my friend was. My friend has the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

Matt

I got it yesterday on one nexus 7. The other one I’m solo waiting for. I’m checking every hour.

masterpfa

I guess this may be one of the reasons Nexus Devices should be sold unlocked and SIM free it seems If carriers have a say they foul up the programme and experience.

Nexus were always known to be first to get updates. Either it’s a Nexus or it is not. And if not remove the Nexus name and give it another title.

http://www.sonicboomstick.com Bryan

Tell me more about Verizon’s approval rating. Can’t wait to bail on them.

honourbound68

i know what you mean… but dangit, sprint needs to get on the ball with their LTE coverage first.

DragonPhyre

While I am the first to admit that the update schedule for the VNex is something undesirable… I don’t think the changes from 4.1.x to 4.2 is that big of a deal to freak out over it.

From what I see, the major changes is “Daydream” and the Miracast display stuff–which isn’t even supported on the Nexus 4 yet, and the devices themselves are not very prevalent yet.

Unless I am missing something?

Nate B.

What happens when Key Lime Pie comes around? It’s not about the update being small or just a little bug fix. It’s the principle.

clocinnorcal

What you are missing is that the Nexus is supposed to be a developer phone, which should receive updates on day 1 from nobody but Google. The fact that Sprint and Verizon clouded the whole idea behind the Nexus brand is the problem. They advertised these devices when they released and then treated them as every other carrier branded device. If it isn’t receiving updates from Google, it is not a Nexus. Plain and simple!

redraider133

I think google also should have put their foot down on the updates. Google has just as much pull as apple does yet you don’t see this happening with the iphone. If there is one thing apple does right its not letting the carriers mess with their phones, and google should do this as well. Then again them just completely avoiding the carriers works too, except for alienating potential customers.

clocinnorcal

Agreed! I think that is one of the reasons why there is no Sprint or Verizon Nexus this time around. For whatever reason, both of those carriers really diluted the brand. The double edged sword of last years debacle is Sprint and Verizon probably helped get the Nexus name out there.

Steve Michael

The ability to forward a meeting request in email is HUGE for me. I can’t do it with 4.11 and I could do it with 4.2.

It is EXACTLY this type of stuff that will drive me back to an iPhone for my next phone. Why on Gods green earth did Google not do the same thing as Apple and control the OS upgrade deployment for their Nexus phones. Having Verizon, or anyone for that matter, really kills the experience.

live2skico

“Still, that’s not likely to comfort Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus users, who as DroidLife’s Kellex has pointed out, are officially three updates behind the GSM Galaxy Nexus and the rest of the new Nexus family.”

this is why there is not a LTE version of the Nexus 4.

Hom0ncruse

final nail in the coffin for galaxy nexus

bill

What is with Verizon why do they take so long to do everything very irritating, my Nexus 7 what’s updated a couple days ago.

R3n394d3

I’m still waiting for 4.2.1 on my Galaxy Nexus. After I installed 4.2 last week over the air. My provider is German Telekom. I like the new alarm clock features and the new camera features (360° etc).

James W.

Got it on my Nexus 4.

Michael Martin

Got it yesterday on my N4

Vaughn

So, what do we do to let Verizon know how annoyed we are? I’ve sent them “support” requests every time an update comes out but we need a more concentrated effort I think.

Max.Steel

You can start by never signing another contract with them and opening up your wallet to their greedy bank accounts. Then they might hear you loud and clear.

Mihavit

yeah we can do that but think about this the people are more willing to just accept the outcome no matter what. i think thats the problem here that we are dealing with. also i think becuz there is no obligation to update these devices under contract they have people by the balls/clit lol. if there was a way to jump outta the contract right in the middle to another carrier without suffering the penalty of ETF more people will do it. only if other carriers will front the bill for switching would be the braking point for the carriers that dont care about there customers. its sad that google doesnt do anything about it these issues with carrier updates that leave phones behind to far back. google needs a store that help support customers that are dealing with carrier update woes. force updates to these devices and charge carriers for lack of support and claim that these update are critical to customers security and updates are needed to keep customers safe while using there device. wishful thinking.

RTFW

Some people have the choice of Verizon or nothing. No other carrier works where I need service. My work phone is Sprint. Coverage is almost non-existent at my house or job. Tried TMobile and they were the same. AT&T halfway works at my house but not my job. Verizon is the only one that has any coverage at all at my kids High School. So I can either use Verizon or just not have a cell phone.

Occam49

Yes, after 10 or 15+ years on Verzon [ I was with a local LA based company, LA Cellular, when Verizon did the Borg on them] , I’m switching. Their service frankly isn’t that much better than my wife’s ATT and the 4G LTE rarely delivers the advertised speed.

Over priced and definitely NOT nerd friendly

NOLATechy

I completely agree! I switched from AT&T to Verizon 1) because I was told the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was a “pure Google” device…a lie; 2) because I was told Verizon had much better reception and speeds…another lie (at least in New Orleans) and 3) because I was told I would get more data for less money…ok I’ll give them that one, but now AT&T’s data plan is much more comparable.

I’ve decided that once my contract is up with Verizon, I’m going back to AT&T. They have 4G LTE here in New Orleans and my friends who are on AT&T state that their HSPA+ speeds are almost as fast as what I’m getting on Verizon 4G LTE. (Tested speeds using Speedtest.net) and because their Galaxy Nexus is the GSM version direct from Google, they already are enjoying 4.2.1. I should have NEVER switched to Verizon!

Steve Michael

I am 100% with you on this, however I will be going back to the iPhone instead of Android from now on. I have had both, and like both, but crap like this drives me insane. I don’t want Verizon or ATT to control updates like this. It is in their best interest to NOT provide them, so they can sell new phones.

Barney

I don’t think people understand something very fundamental to these updates. Apple gets the final version of its software finished. It has already gone through beta testing in the hands of many including developers. Then it’s sent through to carrier testing well before anyone in the general public even gets a sniff of a word that it’s available from Apple. Google on the other hand tells everyone at the same time when it’s “ready” except in true Google form, it’s half baked. How can Verizon possibly let that piece of software through? If you got 4.2, then you know about the crazy battery drain, the random reboots and some stability issues. How can you possibly blame Verizon for delays when Google can’t even get their own stuff straight? If this software is stable it’ll go through testing and make its way to our devices. Google could do it like Apple and no one would be the wiser.

As far as the 4.2 bugs. I don’t think they are as bad as you claim. I have a N7 and haven’t had any of those issues you speak of.

inviolable

You say that as if Google is known for releasing broken updates. So 4.2 has bugs. It happens. I don’t even know why you would bring up Apple. It has nothing to do with it. However, the good thing about having a Nexus on anything other than Verizon or Sprint, is that you know fixes are coming in a timely manner.

Uriel

I got the update today around 3 p.m eastern time on my Nexus 4 with T-Mobile not unlock.

Migamix

Not like Verizon properly vets the updates for functionality.. Let’s think back the most horrid update I know… Gingerbread on the droid X. It failed on the OTA for me.. Forcing me to learn how to push the SBf files to it. When they finally give a fix that let’s you play music without a repeatable boot loop (to name just 1 issue out of many), It came after already getting my V Gnex, now I’m stuck waiting for Verizon again.. To do what.. Review the update.. Its a nexus… It should already have been checked on Google’s end.. Just a couple of LTE binaries are needed from Verizon… And even those are trash at times (think original radio software)
Google grow a pair, Verizon grow up, devs, keep on chugging along with your great fixes that you are underpaid for

Dirge

Let’s not forget the various international Galaxy Nexus phones still on ICS. *shudder*

Arsen

I got it yesterday on my Galaxy nexus!)))

NexusNYC`

I got the update on my Nexus 4 & 7. I still find the 4 to be so much more snappier and responsive compared to the 7. Weird.

Mark

I don’t understand why this story was published. That one carrier is a whole updated ahead of other Gnex variants. Kinda missing the real story here guys. Research a little and don’t do your fact checking in a bubble.

Steven

My galaxy nexus got the update. I find the phone usually gets updates within 24 hours of the launch

Ryan

Took a couple days but I got it in my nexus 10, lock screen now defaults to a widget I added and not the clock. Also my notification light seems to actually work now.

Broseph Stalin

I found my battery to drain extremely fast on 4.2, I installed 4.2.1 this morning and it seems to be fixed.
Also, it feels less buggy than 4.2.

randyw

This is why Verizon and most likely Sprint as well will never get another Nexus.

Mihavit

i agree, i dont think they deserve another developers device on there network. i wouldnt be mad if this is completely true. i left t-mobile to verizon to get this developers device in search for better coverage. now im going to return to my beloved network that dont restrict updates to when they feel its appropriate to the networks liking. i know i could root the device and get it but im to chicken to do so. im scared to brick my device also im also scared things in the rom will no carry everything google would have attended the update to have. if the update done come soon i guess i will have to face my fears and just root or flash my phone to the latest rom.

GreenGriffin

Who would have thought there can be benefits of being in New Zealand – got the update on my GNex and Nex7 yesterday morning.

Happy to be getting updates quickly, but the December bug didn’t really seem like that much of an issue to me (I understand it is a big screw up) – especially when you have other issues that cropped up with 4.2 such as random reboots, random deleting of my APN settings, and what seems like worsened battery (might be the hypochondriac in me?). Those are bugs I would prefer being fixed.

So at least there’s nothing new to report like a complete change of how verizon is doing things, there are just things we have to hope the community fixes for us verizon will not help.

Skis03

Great product, worst update schedule ever for a product!

Don64

Worst? No, not at all. I have an HTC Thunderbolt. Held great promise, but HTC screwed up the initial build and made it worse with a follow up. They finally got something resembling stable last September (2011) and then made a promise that they would upgrade it from Gingerbread to ICS by May 2012. Those of us who still have the damn phone are still waiting for ICS. You got 4.1 Jelly? Then stop complaining. It’s typically not Verizon, but the phone vendor who messes up the update. Since Google is supposed to be all about the Nexus line, complain their direction.

grindking

I understand the principle and idea of Nexus devices, but what I’m not sure about is why so many people would bitch than just go run a custom rom? These are Nexus devices after all, and that’s one of the main reasons I’ve always purchased Nexus. I don’t even really feel there’s a point to bitch about official OTAs going to Verizon in a timely manner if you read about why it’s caused. When Google fought Verizon over net neutrality, they actually won in a positive manner in the sense that LTE was allowed to be modified and released by Google. The problem is they do NOT have control over the older CDMA2000 based networks which Verizon still controls. As of now there is no LTE-only phone, but in the future it possibly could flip flop back to a more Google controlled device on Verizon. I’m in the boat of another user posting above, the other carriers are just unusable and crappy here. I’d rather deal with custom roms and prebuilt binaries rather than have a phone with unusable connectivity unless I’m on wireless.

jefflarkin

I really feel bad for the people who thought they were buying a nexus on the verizon network. I almost made the switch when it came out and I’m glad I didn’t. I know Verizon needs to integrate their network stack into the OS, but it seems like they’re really shooting themselves in the foot with each lagging update.

goku2k

I love verizon’s coverage, but their “open handset” policies are a joke.

Jintomenachery

Thats not good

goughrmak

Glad I don’t have a Verizon phone. I have had NO issues with AT&T at all.

mrcrusha

Verizon messin it up for everyone!!!

teamwoot

Unlocked open phones are the future. If a carrier doesn’t want to be left behind they must get on board with timely software updates. First carrier to properly manage this can take a huge chunk of the market

spanky

Galaxy s3???

dacevedo

Waiting this update from CM10 :P

friendlyfire

I can’t wait for this to make to my galaxy nexus.

microsurgery

And when is the Samsung g3 getting the update? And the ASUS tr201!

hansdouma

It seems that battery life took a turn for the worse ever since installing 4.2 and 4.2.1 on the Nexus 7.

jamontoast1291

I’ve been rooted for a while and given how ridiculously easy it is, I don’t necessarily understand the complaints. I feel like most people in the general public don’t care about OS updates and people who read these kinds of websites are more than capable of doing it themselves.

tylerfoy

Wow, i’m still waiting for 4.1 on my S3. We’re still using ICS up here in Canada!

Get your act together Telus!

linkinmark5

I just dont get it. Customers pay VZW’s outrageous prices and still they hold these updates hostage so we buy newer phones with out of the box updates. Why do we continue to let them get away with it. I didnt…after my OG Droid….I switched to the EVO and Sprint. …thank goodness for LTE or id be prepaid right now!

overclockthesun

Well, it out right now for my Defy! but its quite buggy and its a custom rom on XDA! but its still a lot faster than even 4.1.2!

paladaxar

Sure, the vzw GNex is falling behind, but we didn’t buy it to get updates from vzw…BB FTW! :)

darkgreen

cant wait for cm 10

rc213

Battery life definitely took a hit with 4.2.1 on my backup NTT/Docomo Galaxy Nexus. Hope they patch it up soon as I plan on giving it to my niece.

I know this has been beaten to death but as an owner of the Galaxy Nexus with Verizon I am seriously disappointed.

rbcameron1

a tiny little upgrade from 4.1 to 4.2 is not enough to make me switch from verizons 4G speed and reliability in their network. i will never go to AT&T for the simple fact that if you go outside any city more than 1 mile your signal is gone. I’ve been in the middle of rocky mountain national park and somehow STILL had a 2 bar 3G signal on this phone thru verizon. phones come and go, software gets upgraded, phone service is why i have a cell phone.

ArticulateFool

Did anybody rally expect Verizon to be quick to this rollout?

CLFatica

Verizon is such a let down. It frustrates me that the iPhone can do whatever they want but the Nexus phones have to jump through hoops to update.

ralphw1

It’s the same in the UK. iPhone updates tend to get pushed through faster than every other manufacturer.

siddharthmani

i already got the 4.2 update in India

humidity

/sigh

avijaunty

I m dying to get a Nexus 4 :(

klcow92

N10 are selling like hot cakes in the uk but no sight of them in stores…. sad